The formidable writer is again embroiled in a protest over her views – but she’s never been a stranger to controversy and there’s no doubting that she has brought zest and vigour to our intellectual lives

The King's Speech uses period locations that capture the feel of Depression-era Britain. Even the dirt on the streets was authentic, and the smog effects set off the fire alarms in John Lewis, writes Geraldine Bedell

More and more parents are detemined to build their own local schools. But is this really the answer to our classroom crisis? In a special report, parents, educators and activists reveal the hard lessons they're learning

Afghanistan is one of the deadliest conflicts of modern times. But what's it like to open your front door to a uniformed officer bearing the news you fear the most? Three war widows talk about the heartbreak of losing their hero